Ute Reservoir Water Plan Uses Sustainable Annual Supply
The Ute Reservoir Water Commission and NM and federal partners back a plan using about 24 000 ac ft annually without draining the lake. The water purchase agreement with URWC members includes safeguards to protect the ecosystem and avoid overharvest. A drought plan based on data offers fairer protection than a fixed minimum pool rule.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ute
Ute Reservoir Water Commission
URWC
State of New Mexico
NM Interstate Stream Commission
Myth statements on ENMAWS and Ute Reservoir roles
The document states Myth 5 claims ENMAWS is not the best solution after extensive study over 48 years with multi agency reviews and two peer reviews declaring it best and cost effective. It notes a $1 million test well drilled near Clovis Portales yielded brackish water and insufficient supply for viability. Myth 7 asserts Ute Reservoir primarily provides drinking water with recreation as a secondary incidental benefit.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Enmaws
Clovis
Portales
Myth 9 Intake first phase not required
The project plan has always assumed starting at the reservoir and moving south as design and funding allow. Building intake facilities now reduces disruption to south side residents and visitors, though future infill development may change this.
URWC Seeks Sustainable Water via Ute Reservoir Projects
The Eastern NM Water Utility Authority and URWC members share goals for a sustainable water supply from Ute Reservoir. Quay County and Tucumcari hold about a third of the 24 000 ac ft reserved and could gain from economies of scale. Projects promise job creation and regional economic growth.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ien MS
Ute
Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority
URWC
Quay County
Tucumcari
Myth 4 Public meetings gather input across counties
The project has held more than 150 public meetings since 1999 across Quay Curry and Roosevelt Counties. Meetings in Logan and Quay County focused on explaining the process gathering input and addressing misconceptions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Quay
Curry
Roosevelt
Logan
Quay County
Myth 6 Federal support for rural water project
Congress has appropriated over 3 million dollars to date for the project and it was federally authorized in March 2009. The funding model combines local state and federal dollars and mirrors other rural water initiatives nationwide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Myth 8 on URWC projects and New Mexico water rights
The text argues that without URWC projects the reservoir would not be used for drinking water and warns New Mexico must use or lose the unique storage, risking over one million ac-ft of water shifting downstream to Texas over ENMAWS life. It states NM can offer 24,000 ac-ft of Ute water for sale if URWC members do not act.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Mexico
URWC
Texas
Myth 10 Supports Intake Site Adjacent to River Channel
The design aligns with state goals to acquire property for a future intake and pump station tied to South Shore Village platting. It cites the historic river channel alignment before dam construction as key terrain, relief, and the most cost efficient option.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Shore Village
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ute Reservoir
NM Water Utility Authority
Tucumcans
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